Arizona trounces Oklahoma State 41-13; matches last season’s win total with 4-1 start

TUCSON – Arizona came into the week needing to bounce back from a tough loss in its Big 12 season-opener at Iowa State. Well, the Wildcats did just that. Arizona trounced Oklahoma State 41-13 in its home-conference opener, holding the Cowboys to under 200 yards of total offense and no offensive touchdowns. The Wildcats are now the only team in the nation that have yet to allow a passing touchdown this season. On offense, Noah Fifita threw for five touchdowns, the fourth time he’s done so in his career, and 376 yards, passing Willie Tuitama and tying Khalil Tate for the third-most passing touchdowns in program history.

Arizona had about as good of a drive as offensive coordinator Seth Doege could have scripted. Ismail Mahdi carried the ball four times for 38 yards, advancing the Wildcats into Oklahoma State territory, but injuries to left tackle Ty Buchanan and left guard Chubba Maae largely stalled the run game from there. Noah Fifita and the receivers took care of the rest drive through the air. Fifita connected with Chris Hunter and Javin “Nunu” Whatley to advance to the Oklahoma State 13 yard line. On 4th and three, Fifita found Tre Spivey, who entered the day as a game time decision, for a 13-yard touchdown, giving Arizona a 7-0 lead with 10:08 to go in the first quarter.

The defense made sure Oklahoma State could not respond, forcing a three and out on the Pokes’ opening possession. Linebackers Riley Wilson and Chase Kennedy got some action on the first drive, with Danny Gonzales’ squad lining up in a 2-4-5 formation.

On Oklahoma State’s second possession, quarterback Zane Flores used his legs to pick up 27 yards, moving the Pokes to the Arizona 30 yard line. From there, Flores threw three straight incompletions, as Oklahoma State settled for 47-yard field goal, making the score 7-3 with 5:59 remaining in the first quarter.

Tre Spivey does it again

Noah Fifita and Arizona orchestrated a beautiful drive on the next possession. Noah Fifita connected with Kris Hutson, Javin Whatley, and Luke Wysong on a number of short completions to cross midfield, before a roughing the passer penalty on Oklahoma State gave the Wildcats a first down at the OSU 28 yard line. Three plays later, wide receiver Tre Spivey utilized a crafty move to knife through the defense for a 22-yard touchdown, his second of the game. Saturday’s two-touchdown performance against Oklahoma State is the first multi-touchdown game of Tre Spivey’s career.

On the ensuing possession, Oklahoma State tried to give Danny Gonzales and Arizona’s defense some new looks, brining athlete Sam Jackson V in at QB. While Jackson V provided a spark for the Cowboys, their drive would stall, with a 48-yard field goal attempt by Logan Ward missing short right.

Arizona moved the ball well on its first possession of the second quarter, with 17-yard and 15-yard pick ups by Luke Wysong and Kris Hutson, respectively. The drive stalled out, and kicker Michael Salgado-Medina was unable to connect on a 46-yard field goal, keeping the score at 14-3 with 11:08 to go in the first half. It is Salgado-Medina’s fifth missed field goal of the season, all of which have come from greater than 40 yards.

Wide open Wysong

Arizona recovered from the missed field goal on its next possession when Noah Fifita scrambled to avoid Oklahoma State’s zero blitz, finding a wide open Luke Wysong for a 47-yard touchdown, his first of the season.

Defense made quick work of the next possession, which culminated with a 13-yard Dalton Johnson sack, his first of the season, to force a three-and-out. Luke Wysong returned the Oklahoma State punt 23 yards, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Cowboys’ 44-yard line. After a six-yard pickup by tight end Keyan Burnett, Noah Fifita’s pass intended for Gio Richardson was overthrown and intercepted by OSU safety Parker Robertson, who returned it 33 yards to the UA 47 yard line.

Oklahoma State was unable to do much offensively with the short field, settling for a 46-yard field goal by Logan Ward after a seven-play, 18-yard drive.

Arizona responded with a nifty eight-play, 59-yard drive that took just 65 seconds, resulting in a 34-yard field goal by Michael Salgado-Medina to send the Wildcats to the locker room with a 24-6 halftime lead.

Defense stands tall in offense’s third quarter lull

Arizona’s defense came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half. Jay’Vion Cole intercepted Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores on first play of the second half gives the ball right back to Arizona, but two plays later, running back Ismail Mahdi put the ball on the turf. The Wildcats were lucky to recover the ball, but played it safe on 3rd and 34 with a tight end screen to Sam Olson. Isaac Lovison’s 54-yard punt did its job, getting downed at the OSU seven yard line, leading to another Cowboys three-and-out.

After another sluggish series by the offense, the defense once again held its ground, with linebacker Max Harris forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive end Tre Smith. With the ball back, Noah Fifita uncorked a 45-yard dime to Tre Spivey, setting up a first and goal at the one yard line, before Fifita fumbled the ball on the following play, giving it right back to the Pokes.

Offense finds its rhythm late in the third quarter

The defense once again pinned its ears back, and then pinned Oklahoma State deep in its own territory, which led to a three-and-out and the ball back to Arizona at the OSU 38 yard line. Luke Wysong, who was in for the unavailable Jeremiah Patterson, muffed the punt, but was fortunate to fall on it.

From there, Arizona’s offense started to hum again, with Noah Fifita finding Chris Hunter for a 17-yard completion, before a 21-yard touchdown strike to Javin “Nunu” Whatley.

Arizona’s defense came up with another big time stand, as Julian Savaiinaea’s fourth down sack forced a turnover on downs, giving Noah Fifita and the offense the ball back at the OSU 29 yard line. Fifita and Chris Hunter needed just one play to get back in the end zone, with Hunter scoring his first touchdown of the season to give the Wildcats a 38-6 lead with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter.

As the game rolled into the fourth quarter with a comfortable lead for the home team, true freshman Myron Robinson got into the box score with his first career sack, forcing the sixth three-and-out of the game for the Cowboys. Quarterback Bradeyn Locke entered the game for Noah Fifita, replacing him with 10:20 remaining in the game. His first pass attempt would go as a pick-6 returned 55 yards for Oklahoma State’s lone touchdown of the day, cutting into Arizona’s lead 38-13 with 8:40 remaining.

Arizona’s next drive chewed up nearly four and a half minutes, giving back up center Grayson Stovall some in-game reps. Locke completed three of his four passes, including a 40-yard bomb to freshman Gio Richardson, setting up a 57-yard field goal from Michael Salgado-Medina. Arizona led 41-13 with 4:12 remaining in the game, a score that would hold with zeroes on the clock.

Arizona is back home next week for Family Weekend when it hosts top 25-ranked BYU (5-0) on Saturday, October 11, at 5:00 PM MST on ESPN2.